6beta:17beta-dihydroxy-17alpha-alkynyl-3:5-cycloandrostanes and method for the preparation of 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-alkynyl steroids of the androstane and 3:5-cycloandrostane series



Bernard Ellis, Vladimir Petrow, Martin Stansfield, jand Isobel Ann Stuart-Webb, all of London, England, assignors to The British Drug Houses Limited, London, England, a British company No Drawing. Application May is; 1958 l Serial No. 735,366

clans; priority, application Great Britain Mriy'il, 1957 1 Claims. (Cl. 260-3975) This invention is for improvements inor relating to organic compounds and has particular reference to the preparation of steroidal derivatives having a 17p-hydroxyl and a 17a-alkynyl group.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new process for the preparation of l7B-hydroxy-l7a-alkynyl derivatives of substituted perhydrocyclopentenophenanthrene, which process can be applied to the preparation of 17fl-hydroxy-17a-alkynyl derivatives of both saturated and unsaturated steroids of the androstane and 3:5-cycloandrostane classes, substituted in Rings A and B, by not less than one of the groups OH, OAlkyl, or 0.

It is a further object of the invention to provide 170:- alkynyl derivatives of 17 8-hydroxy-perhydrocyclopentenophenanthrene and these are of value on account of their biological properties or as intermediates in the preparation of compounds with useful biological properties. Thus, for example, the invention provides compounds United tf4t8 f,9, j

which are, or which may be converted into the progestationally-active homologues of ethisterone and 6u-methylethisterone.

The invention provides new l7p-hydroxy-l7a -alkynyl steroids of the androstane and 3 :S-cycloandrostane classes having the general formula where R is an alkyl group containing not more than four carbon atoms.

The invention also pounds provides the specific new com- 1741- (prop-l-ynyl) -androst-5-en-3fl: 17 B-diol 171x- (but-l-ynyl) -androst-5-en-3B: 17,8-diol 17a(pent-1-ynyl) -androst-5 en-B'Br l 7,8-diol 17a-(pent-1-ynyl) -3 :5-cycloandrostan-6p l7B-diol The above compounds are valuable intermediates in vention may be applied to the following structures: J

6,8-hydroxy-3 :5-cyc1oandrostan-l7-one ene-3:17-dione,

2,927,119 Patented Mar 1, 1960 2 According to the present invention there is provided a method for the preparation of l'7p-hydroxy-l7a-alkynyl steroids of the androstane and 3:5-cycloandrostane classes having the general formula l .cEo.R

s u I I Ski where R is an-al ltyl group containingnotmore than'four carbon atoms, which method comprises reactingaflsubstituted 17-oxo-steroid having the general formula hours. Thereafter, the resulting complex may bedecomposed: by the addition of, for. example, aqueous ammonium chlo:ide,-1and the steroidal derivative isolated by conventional methods such as extraction with an organic solvent such for example, as ether.

The process of the invention may be applied, to ,17- oxo-ste'roids of-the andros'tane and 3:5-cycloandros'tane series containing avariety of substituents and unsaturated linkages .inthevmolecule as will be apparent to those ,skilled in the art.

terfere with the process of the invention.

Hydroxyl or acyloxy groups will not, in general, in

' Isolated or conjugated unsaturated linkages which may .be present in rings A, B and C, and which are not conjugated with an oxygen containing group do not, in general, interferewith the process of the invention.

Alkyl or alkoxy groups situated in any position (other than at C likewise will not interfere with theprocess pot the invention.

Oxo-groups and in particular those at C C and C protection in order that their participation in the Gri- (but excluding C however, will in general require guard reaction maybe avoided. Such protection may readily be achieved by, for example, ketal or enol ether formation, thereby permitting subsequent regeneration of the 'oxo-function. 'In particular, the, process of the in- 3 p-hydroiry (acyloxy) -androst-5 -en- 17 one the S-e'nol' etherand 3-ketal-derivatives of androstd and of ll-oxygenated androst-4 ene- 3zl7-"diones I '4 plates M.P. 179 to 181? C., [al -121 fA solution of ethyl magnesium "bromide was pre- -.1@ss 1 r s1. ..n tr 2gn, n B-nesksd flash dro p ng i unu t 7 e reflux s ad n ml(3v-6. a), t ylh m de(161 s,) M a h d all tetrahydrofuran (150 ml.). The solution was heated under reflux for 30 minutes, and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The reflux condenser was then replaced by a condensercooled by acetone/ solid CO and the dropping funnel cooled by the addition of tetrahydrofuran (20 ml.) at 60 C. l-propyne (8 g.) was weighed out in a flask cooled to .-60 C., dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (60 ml.) at 60 C., transferred to the dropping funnel and quickly added to the Grignard solution with stirring. Evolution of ethane occurred, and stirring was continued for 30 minutes, by which time evolution of ethane had ceased. The reflux condenser was then returned to the flask and a solution of dehydroisoandrosterone (4.3 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) added .dropwise with stirring. A gelatinous precipitate was 'formed, and the mixture was stirred under reflux for 2 hours. The complex was decomposed with ammonium chloride (50g) in water (200 ml.) and the product isolated with ether. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave a solid residue which crystallised from acetone/hexane as colourless plates M.P. 176 to 180 C.

Recrystallisation from aqueous methanol gave the monohydrate of l7u-(prop-1-ynyl)-antlrost-5-en-3,6:l7 81diol as (c. 0.98) (in chloroform throughout unless otherwise stated).

EXAMPLE 2 17a-(but-1-ynyl)QandrosI-i En-3,9. 17 3di0l 11151250 191 A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide was prepared under-nitrogen in a 3-necked flask fitted with a dropping funnel, stirrer and reflux v p u (4.86 g), ethyl bromide (21.8 g.) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (200 ml.).

temperature. The reflux condenser was replaced by a condenser cooled with acetone/solid CO and the dropping funnel cooled by addition of tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) cooled to 60 C. 'l-butyne (12 g.) was weighed out in a flask cooled to -60" C,, dissolvedin tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) at 60 C. and quickly addedwith stirring to the Grignard solution. Ethane was evolved, and

' stirring was continued for130 minutes. The reflux conpddition of hexane. Recrystallisation from acetone/hexane "gave 17ml (ut-1-ynyl ).-androst 5-en-3}9: 173411 01 as I The solution was heated 'under reflux for 30 minutes, and then' allowed to cool to room condenser from magnesium mix r s ted unde reflu for 2' hours. The complex'was decomposed with amd EXAMPLE 3 A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide was prepared in a nitrogen atmosphere from magnesium (4.86 g.), ethyl bromide (21.8 g.) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (200 ml.). The solution was heated underreflux 'for30 minutes, and then allowed to cool ,to room temperature. l-pentyne (15 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was slowly added to the solution with stirring. Ethane was evolved, and stirring was continued for a further 30 minutes. A solution of dehydroisoandrosterone (5 .8 g.) in'tetrahydrofuran 100-m1. was then added dropwise with stirring, with formation of a gelatinous precipitate. The mixture was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature and then allowed to stand overnight at'room temperature. Decomosit n with ammqn um h o ide (5. g) in Water ml.) and isolation of the product with ether gave a gum which crystallised on addition of hexane. Recrystallisation from acetone/ hexane gave 17w (pent-l-yuyl)-androst- 5-en-3p:.17fi-diol as needles M.P. 67 [alg -"420 ,(c. 0.97).

EXAMPLE 4 A solution .of ethyl magnesium bromide was .prepared under nitrogen from magnesium.(4.86-g.), ethyl bromide (21.8 g.) and anhydrous'tetrahydrofuran (260 ml.). The solution was heated under reflux for 30 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature. l-hexyne (18 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml.) was slowly added to the solution with stirring Ethane was evolved, and stirring was continued for 30 minutes. A solution .of dehydroisoandrosterone (5.8 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) was then added vdropwise with stirring, with formation of a gelatinous precipitate. The mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The complex was decomposed with ammoniumchloride (50 g.) in water (200 ml.) and the product isolated with ether. Removal of thesolvent under reduced pressure gave a gum-which crystallised from acetone/hexane ,as needles .80 to 82 C. Recrystallisation from acetone/hexane gave l7a-(hex-l-ynyl)- androst-5-en-3 3zl7fl-diol as needles, M.P. to 82 C., which on prolonged drying had M.P. 70 to 72 C., ['oz] 114 (c. 1.00).

EXAMPLE 5 I 7 upro p-l -ynyl) -3 :5 -c ycloandrgstan-6 [3:] 7 fi-d iol reflux ;for 30 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The reflux condenser was replaced by a condenser cooled with acetone/solid CO and the dropping funnel was cooled by addition .of tetrahydrofuran (50"ml.) at -60 C. l-propyne (8 g.) was weighed out in a flasltcooled to 60 C., dissolvedin tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) at 60 C., transferred to the dropping funnel and quickly added tothe Grignard solution with stirring. Ethane was'evolved and the solution was stirred for minutes. The reflux condenser was then returned to the flask and a solution of 6p-hydroxy-3:5-cycloandrostan-17- one (4.3 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) added dropwise with stirring. The solution was then heated under reflux for 2 hours. The complex was decomposed with ammonium chloride (50 g.) in water (200 ml.) and the product isolated with ether. Removalof the solvent under reduced pressure gave a gum which crystallised on addition ofhexane. Recrystallisation from acetone/hexane gave 17a-prop 1-ynyl-3 5 -cyc1oandros'tan-6B: 17B-diol as needles, M.P. 192 to' 201 C., [fi -12 (($1.03).

" 'ExAMPLEe.

A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide was prepared under nitrogen in a S-necked flask fitted with a dropping funnel, stirrer and reflux condenser from magnesium denser .cooled .with acetone/solid CO and the dropping funnel was cooled by the addition of tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) at --60 C. l-butyne (9.2 g.) was weighed out in a flask cooled to 60 C.,dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) at --60 C., transferred to the dropping funnel and quickly added to the Grignard solution with stirring. Ethane was evolved, and stirring was continued for 30 minutes. The reflux condenser was returned to the flask and a solution 'of 6,3-hydroxy-3:5-cycloandrostan-17-one (4.3 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) added dropwise with stirring. The solution was stirred under reflux for 2 hours. Decomposition of the complex with ammonium chloride (50 g.) in water (200 ml.) and isolation of the product with ether gave a guru which crystallised from acetone/hexane as prisms M.P. 166 to 169 C. Recrystallisation from aqueous methanol gave 17a-(but-1-ynyl)- 3:S-cycloandrostan-fi:17B-diol as blades, M.P. 172 to 174 C., [ul -145 (c. 0.92).

EXAMPLE 7 A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide was prepared in a nitrogen atmosphere from magnesium (3.65 g.),

.ethyl bromide (16.3 g.) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (150 ml.). The solution was heated under reflux for 30 minutes, and then allowed to cool to room temperature. l-pentyne (13.6 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) was added slowly with stirring. Ethane was evolved, and stirring was continued for 30 minutes. 6B-hydroxy-3:5- cycloandrostan-17-one (4.3 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.) was then added dropwise with stirring, and the solution heated under reflux for 2 hours. The complex was decomposed with ammonium chloride (50 g.) in water (200 ml.) and the product was isolated with ether. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave a gum. Percolation of a benzene solution through a short column of alumina (10 g.) and removal of the solvent gave a residue which crystallised from benzene/ light petroleum (B.P. 60/80) as clusters of needles M.P; 140 to 144 C. Recrystallisation from aqueous methanol gave 17a-(pentl-ynyl) -3:5-cycloandrostan-6B:17B-diol as blades, M.P. 146 to 148 C., [al -13 (c. 1.04).

a a n-1 1a V EXAMPLE 3 V, jsariq i-zzmpm gquiz enemies-metresmes-dial (VI, R=Me) .EXAMPLE 9 (8.) A solution of a Grignard reagent, employing 1- propyne (8 g.), was prepared by the method described in Example 1. To this reagent there was added the 3-enol ethyl ether (4 g.) derived from androst-4-ene-3z17-dione in tetrahydrofuran 100 ml.), and the mixture heated under reflux for 2 hours. The complex was decomposed with ammonium chloride (50 g.) water in water (200 ml.) and the product isolated with ether. Its solution in ethanol (100 ml.) was treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid (5 ml.) for 2 hours at room temperature, and the product isolated with ether and crystallised from acetone/hexane. 17fl-hydroxy-17a-(prop-1-ynyl)androst- 4-en-3-one formed needles, M.P. 151 to 152 C., [a] +11 (c. 0.53 in ethanol).

(b) A solution of a Grignard reagent, employing l-propyne (4 g.) was prepared by the method described in Example 1. To this reagent there was added the 3:3-ethylenedioxy derivative (2 g.) of androst-4-ene-3:17-dione in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.), and the mixture heated under reflux for 2 hours. The cooled mixture was treated with ammonium chloride (25 g.) in water (100 ml.), the product isolated with ether, and treated with acetic acid (25 ml.) for 18 hours at room temperature. Isolation of the product with ether followed by purification from acetone/hexane gave 17B-hydroxy-17a-(prop-1-ynyl)- androst-4-en-3-one, M.P. 151 C., identical with a sample prepared by method (a) above.

EXAMPLE 10 1 7B-hydr0xy-6u-methyl-I 7 aprop-1 -ynyl androst-4-en- 3-one (VII; R and R=Me) A solutionof a Grignard reagent, employing l-propyne (8 g.) was prepared by the method described in Exampie 1. To this reagent there was added the 3 :3-ethylenedioxy derivative (4 g.) of 6a-methylandrost-4-ene-3:17-

75 dione in tetrahydrofuran ml.), and the mixture awn-m heated under reflux for 3 hours. After decomposition of the complex with aqueous ammonium chloride, the product was isolated ether ,and treated with 90% acetic acid (50 ml.) for 30 minutes at 100 C. The product obtained by pouring the mixture into water and extracting with ether was crystallised from aqueous methanol. *l7p-hydroxy-6 -methyl-l7u-(prop-1-ynyl) androst-4-en-3-one formed plates M.P. 99 to 102 C., [a] -|10 (c. 1.0 in chloroform).

EXAMPLE 1,1

M.P. 74 to 76 C., [u] +17 (c. 1.0 in chloroform).

We claim: 7 a

2. 17a-(but-1-yny1)-3 :S-cycloandrostane-G/i: 17Bdiol.

3. 17a- (pent-1-ynyl)-3 :S-cycloandrostane-Gfi: 17,3-diol.

4. A method for the preparation of a 17;9-hydroxy- 17a-alkynyl steroid selectedsfrom the group consisting of the androstane and 3: 5- eycloandrostane series where said .il7a-alkynyl group is CEC (lower allcyl), whichrnethcd comprises reacting a corresponding 17-05(0- steroid with an alkynyl magnesium halide reagent providing an alkynyl group as .defined above, to thereby provide a Grignard complex involving said 17-oxo group, and subsequently decomposing said complex to form the said 17fl-hydroxy-17a-a1kynyl steroid product.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein a solution of said substituted 17-oxo-steroid in tetrahydrofuranis added to an excess of said alkynyl magnesium halide in tetrahydrofuran.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said complex is decomposed by the addition of aqueous ammonium chloride and the product isolated with ether. '4

7. 6/3:17,3-dihydroxy-17a-alkynyl steroids of the 3:5- cycloandrostane series wherein said 17a-alkynyl group is CECR, and where R is an alkyl group containing upto f our carbon atoms.

Mancera et al. Dec. .9, 1958 

7. 6B:17B-DIHYDROXY-17A-ALKYNYL STEROIDS OF THE 3:5CYCLOANDROSTANE SERIES WHEREIN SAID 17A-ALKYNL GROUP IS---C$CR, AND WHERE R IS AN ALKYL GROUP CONTAINING UP TO FOUR CARBON ATOMS. 